Blumenauer calls Armstrong case "horrifying" and "creepy"

Kari Chisholm

As reports surface that legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong has admitted to doping in a taped interview with Oprah Winfrey (to be aired Thursday), reporters caught up with Congressman Earl Blumenauer in the halls of Congress. Yahoo News has the money quote:

"It's not quite like when I found out there wasn't a Santa Claus, but it really is just very sad," Blumenauer told reporters near the House floor Tuesday. "It's horrifying. I just think it's a tragedy."

Blumenauer had been a bit of a superfan, honoring Armstrong and collecting memorabilia:

In 2005, he introduced a resolution to honor Armstrong after he won his seventh Tour de France title. The congressman used to hang an autographed Armstrong jersey prominently in his office, but he removed it when the accusations of doping became too prevalent to ignore. He still has the jersey, but it's hidden away with his other Armstrong memorabilia. "This stuff just got too creepy," Blumenauer said.

By Kari Chisholm Jan. 15, 2013